Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Balsamic Grilled Chicken with Mozzarella and Pesto

This weather we’ve been having is completely ridiculous, in a really awesome way. We’re projected to have record HIGHS here in Ohio today, and I’m loving it. While I do wish it wasn’t quite so hot already (86 degrees!!!), I’m certainly not going to complain.

The weather has me thinking about grilling, so I thought this grilled chicken recipe would be the perfect thing to share with you today. It’s so simple, and it tastes absolutely amazing. Chicken breasts are marinated in balsamic vinegar, then grilled, then topped with fresh mozzarella, pesto, and a balsamic reduction. Those are literally the only ingredients in the recipe (you don’t even need salt and pepper!), and you won’t believe how delicious this is. The vinegar keeps the chicken moist and gives it tons of flavor, and the gooey mozzarella and earthy pesto are the perfect complements. If you’re looking for a recipe to break in your grill this season, this is it!

P.S. I served this with steamed asparagus, and the balsamic reduction was amazingly delicious on that too. Highly recommended!

1. Place the chicken breasts and 1/2 cup of the balsamic vinegar in a large bowl. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated and marinate for no more than an hour. Any longer than that, and the acid in the vinegar could affect the texture of the chicken.

2. Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to high heat. Grill the chicken until cooked through.

3. Meanwhile, pour the remaining 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cook until the vinegar is reduced, thickened, and syrupy, about 15 minutes.

4. When the chicken is cooked, top each breast with 2 slices of fresh mozzarella. Broil until the cheese is melted. Top each breast with a spoonful of pesto, then drizzle each with the balsamic reduction.

I'm a Midwestern wife and mom who loves to cook and bake. I learned to cook by watching the Food Network, hovering over the women in my family, and reading an ever-expanding collection of cookbooks. For me, cooking is a form of therapy, a way to reflect on my memories and to make new ones. I'm drawn to quick, easy, and balanced meals that my entire growing family will enjoy. If you have questions or comments or just want to chat, you can e-mail me at cassiecraves[at]yahoo[dot]com.